A song sung around the campfire at the great summer fair in the third Donzalo novel, The Sign of the Arrow.
A Cup of Wine
A cup of wine may make me jolly
But two can turn me melancholy,
And taking three is simple folly
For I’ll fall asleep, by golly!
I’ll have one for my stomach’s sake,
Though several more seems a mistake;
Too many cupfuls surely make
Anybody’s tummy ache!
Good food is certainly a sign
To pour another cup of wine,
So bring enough when we may dine
To fill up yours and...

This song is also from the second book of Donzalo's Destiny, 'The Shadow of Asak.' The bard Guesare reminisces about a song the Prince of the Fay taught him when he was young.
Where the Dwarfs Dwell
Legends they tell, where the dwarfs dwell,
of fires that well from the hearths of Hell.
There chains of gold were forged of old,
to bind, to hold, in caverns cold,
where the dwarfs dwell, where the dwarfs dwell.
In secret mines a captive pines;
and the runic lines form mystic signs
to tell her...

This is a riddle song from the second book of Donzalo's Destiny, 'The Shadow of Asak.' Jola sings it to Donzalo following the first time they make love.
Answer These
What shadow does a shadow cast?
How long does forever last?
Where sleeps the wind before it blows?
Where is love when it goes?
If I passed beyond the sea,
would you wait and watch for me?
If I crossed the mountains high,
would you pray for wings to fly?
Who am I without my name?
Are the gods or we to blame?
Why must dreams...

Portfolio Description

Through my fantasy novels (and particularly the Donzalo series), songs appear, sometimes performed by minstrels or actors, sometimes by the more ordinary characters. Any that I post here truly are songs, with music written for them. I might even get around to recording them someday.

About Author

Stephen Brooke has written a whole bunch of novels. Some are fantasies. All are available through Arachis Press.